Frequently Asked Questions
Consumer-Driven Healthcare
- What is a high deductible health plan (HDHP)?
- What is consumer-driven healthcare (CDH)?
- Why do people say that the "consumer is in control" with a consumer-driven plan?
- What are the advantages of a consumer driven healthcare plan?
- What are the disadvantages of a consumer driven healthcare plan?
- I am a benefits manager. Will consumer-driven healthcare (CDH) save me money?
- Is it true that consumer-driven healthcare plans are meant for young, relatively healthy people, and are not designed for older people with health issues?
Dentists
- Do all dentists have the same approach to pain management?
- What are the warning signs of a bad dentist?
Discount Medical Programs
- What is a discount medical program?
- How do discount medical plans differ from health insurance?
- How do Discount Medical Plan Organizations Work?
- How might I use a DMPO?
- What are some features to look for in a DMPO?
- How can I maximize my discounts?
- Are there any other caveats?
Doctors
- How do I find a good doctor?
- How do I check a doctor's credentials?
- What is board certification?
- How can I ensure that I will be referred to a specialist?
- How can I go out of network for a doctor?
- How do I find out what insurance a doctor accepts?
- How do I see if a doctor has a disciplinary action?
- How do I submit a correction to a doctor's entry?
- When should a patient shop for a new doctor?
Health Plans for Companies
- What is the economic difference between purchasing a healthcare plan as an individual, and as part of a company?
- What value is there for a business in providing employees with health insurance?
- Are there tax benefits for a small business that provides healthcare to its employees?
- How do I know if my company qualifies for group health insurance?
- How are health plan costs traditionally split between employee and employer?
- Is it a requirement for my company to contribute to employee health benefits?
Health Plans for Individuals and Families
- What is a 'network' plan type?
- What is an individual or family health insurance plan?
- What types of individual or family health insurance plans do I have to choose from?
- How do PPO plans work?
- How do HMO plans work?
- What types of HMO models can I choose from?
- How do point of service (POS) plans work?
- How do indemnity plans work?
Health Savings Accounts
- What is an HSA?
- How much money could I conceivably save by opening an HSA?
- How much can I contribute to an HSA every year?
- Who can open an HSA account?
- What is an HSA-eligible insurance plan?
- Why should I look for an HSA through Vimo and not some other source?
- How does state tax treatment of HSAs differ from federal tax treatment?
- What states have harmonized their tax treatment of Health Savings Accounts with the federal government?
- What states treat Health Savings Accounts differently than the federal government?
- If I live in a state that has not harmonized its Health Savings Account (HSA) tax treatment with the federal government, what records do I need to keep in order to ensure that I can compute my federal and state taxes correctly?
- How is the rollover of an Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA) into a Health Savings Account (HSA) treated by the federal government for tax purposes?
- If I rollover an Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA) into a Health Savings Account in a state like California, then what tax penalties do I owe the state for the year of the rollover?
- Can I open a Health Savings Account (HSA) if I am covered by Medicare or Medicaid?
- How do HSAs work with group insurance plans?
- Can I pay for cosmetic surgeries with an HSA?
- Where can I read the IRS' guidelines for HSAs?
Health Savings Accounts Alternatives
- What is a Healthcare Reimbursement Account (HRA)?
- What is an Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA)?
Hospitals
- How is an urgent care center different from an emergency room?
- What is JCAHO certification, and why is it important?
- What kinds of surgery or medical procedures are not covered by insurance?
- How do I find the best price for my surgery?
How Vimo Can Help
- How can Vimo help me with my healthcare needs?
- How much does it cost to use Vimo?
- What steps does Vimo take to protect my privacy?
- Does Vimo offer insurance in every U.S. state?
- Why would I purchase health insurance through Vimo instead of just calling any local broker?
- Can I buy insurance directly through the Vimo Web site without being contacted by a broker?
- When I am contacted by a broker through Vimo, am I obligated to make a purchase?
- Does health insurance cost more if purchased with a broker than without a broker?
- Will I fill out my health insurance application through Vimo?
- If I need help, how do I contact someone at Vimo?
- I noticed on Vimo that the same insurer may charge different rates in different zip codes. Why is that?
- How do I use Vimo to choose a health insurance plan for myself or my family?
- How do I use Vimo to choose a health insurance plan for my business?
Insurance Terms
- What are co-payments and deductibles?
- How does coinsurance work?
- What are in-network and out-of-network healthcare providers?
- What is an out-of-pocket maximum?
Insurance Terms for Small Business
- What are co-payments and deductibles?
- What is a "benefit rider"?
- How will a "risk adjustment factor (RAF)" affect our policy?
Medical Procedures
- When I'm searching medical procedures, I've noticed the terms "+CC" and "-CC". What do they mean?
- What do 'procedure group' and 'DRG' mean?
- What is a procedure's negotiated price?
- What costs are included in the procedure price?
- What methodology does Vimo use to estimate prices?
- What does Vimo compare its negotiated prices to?
Purchasing an Individual or Family Plan
- If I purchase a plan, when will coverage start?
- Once I join an insurance plan, how do I pay?
- What is the value of a short-term health insurance plan?
Trouble Obtaining Insurance
- What can prevent someone from obtaining insurance?
- Why do insurers exclude some people from coverage?
- If my insurer excludes me, is my family excluded?
- Can I get medical treatment without insurance?
- How can I find treatment without insurance?
- How do I see a doctor if I don't have insurance?
- How can I find affordable prescriptions?
- What are PAPs?
- How can I find reasonably priced lab tests?
- What can I do to find affordable surgery?
Types of Insurance Plans for Business
- Are there many different kinds of health insurance plans for small business?
- How do preferred provider organization (PPO) plans operate?
- How do health maintenance organization (HMO) plans operate?
- What types of HMO models can I choose from?
- How do point of service (POS) plans operate?
- How do indemnity plans operate?